What is another name for tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor, a common skin condition caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, is also known as pityriasis. This term is derived from a Latin word meaning "scaly," which aptly describes the patches of skin that appear lighter or darker than the surrounding area due to the disruption of normal pigmentation. The condition typically manifests on the back, chest, and shoulders and can lead to discoloration of the skin, particularly after sun exposure.

While the terms "age spots," "sun spots," and "freckles" refer to various forms of pigmentation changes due to sun exposure, they are not synonymous with tinea versicolor. Age spots and sun spots are essentially the same, indicating areas of hyperpigmentation due to prolonged sun exposure, while freckles refer to small, harmless brown spots that can be found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, typically more common in individuals with lighter skin tones.